By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
David Reyes, an employee at the Tori Richards
warehouse on Moonui Street, washes away debris
left by a fire early yesterday.

Series of
small fires
plagues Kalihi

Arson is suspected as a van
and trash bins are lit

Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu police are looking for an arson suspect or suspects who apparently set at least eight small fires in Kalihi early yesterday morning.

Fire Department Capt. Richard Soo said the first fire was reported at 2:54 a.m. in a Dumpster at 1245 Mookaula St.

A delivery van in front of the Tori Richards warehouse at 1334 Moonui St. was reported on fire at 3:09 a.m. The fire caused $5,000 damage to the van and another $5,000 damage to a wall of the warehouse, Soo said. The fire may have also damaged materials stored in the building.

Minutes later, at 3:17 a.m., while firefighters were still at the scene of the Tori Richards fire, a 1987 Chrysler LeBaron was set on fire just down the street at 1337 Moonui. Damage was estimated at $3,000.

Other fires were reported:

3:08 a.m. -- A Dumpster at 840 Moowaa St. burned, causing $200 damage.
3:30 a.m. -- Firefighters discovered a can of xylene, a flammable substance, and burn marks on the road where someone may have tried to set a fire.
3:31 a.m. -- Someone set fire to the contents of two concrete trash bins at the 874 Dillingham Blvd. bus stop by Honolulu Community College.
4:14 a.m. -- A pile of palm fronds at 1617 Palama St. was set on fire. The fires seem to be "more than a prank," Soo said.

"The danger ... is what happened at the Tori Richards shop. It (the fire) could spread and involve the structure."

Soo asked that anyone who may know something about the fires call the police. Dial 911 and ask for arson investigators.